Apparatus for hydraulic dredging.



No. 64|,7|6. Patented Ian. 23, I900. B. J. METHVIN. APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULIC DBEDGING.

(Application filed July 15, 1899.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT Qrrrca.

BOLING J. METHVIN, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULIC DREDGING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,716, dated January 23, 1900.

Application filed July 15, 1899. Serial No, 723,958. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BOLING J. METHVIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tacoma,in the county of Pierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Hydraulic Dredging; and I do declare the following to be a full,clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which forms a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus or device for hydraulic dredging, and more particularly to the use of the same in placer-mining, wherein an angular tube is so disposed with relation to a running stream as to convey the ore-bearing gravel, 650., to a convenient place for Washing the same.

In the drawing is shown a longitudinal view of the device as it appears in operative position in a river or the like.

In the drawing, 1 represents the river, in which my device is placed; 2, the surface of the Water of the same; 3, the bed of the stream, and 4 a waterfall, either natural or artificial, or it may be simply a rapid.

5 shows the device in its operative position; 6, the inlet of the same, resting on the bed of the river; 7, the horizontal portion of the device, and 8 the angular or outlet portion, showing the gravel, &c. ,being discharged from its mouth.

11 is a sluice-box in a barge 10.

9 are floats for the purpose of supporting the device when in operation, the same being provided with anchors 10 forlholding the tube, or it may be anchored to the bank or be supported by adjustable trestles, by wire cables crossing the stream, or by barges, as desired.

The principle of the device is that water flowing through a pipe of its own gravity, when said pipe is laid in running water, has an increased velocity. above that surrounding it or that passing down the stream around the pipe, therefore producing suction in ac cordance with the degree of inclination of said pipe. To accelerate this to a very high degree, a precipitous fall is necessary, either a natural or an artificial one, thereby admitting of a down-discharge pipe from the level to which the water in the pipe naturally rises. The longer this down-discharge pipe the greater the suction-power.

If the discharge portion of the device is placed near the falls to convey the material to a barge or the like, an additional suction is created by the water flowing near the same, thus causing an additional increase of power. The discharge portion of the device may, however, be carried to any point desired. The operation is of course automatic.

Having now fullydescribed my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a device of the character described, an angular pipe adapted to be placed in a stream or the like, means for anchoring the rear end of the same near the bed of the stream, and floats for supporting the device.

2. In a hydraulic dredger, a pipe adapted to be placed in a stream or the like and formed with a rear inclined end adapted to reach the bed of the stream and a forward downwardlyprojecting end, and means for anchoring and supporting the same in the stream.

3. In a device of the character described, a tube having an angular end, so that it may be placed over a waterfall or the like, its rear end contacting with the bed of the stream, whereby a suction is created and the material received at one end and discharged at the other.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BOLING J. METHVIN.

Witnesses:

W. H. SNELL, HENRY A. YOUNG. 

